Business and Management for the IB Diploma
Chapter 30: Exam practice question
Production at BMW
1
Define the following terms:
a
flow production
(2)
This is the production of items in a continually moving process. It is also known as job
production. Products move from stage to stage of the production process as soon as they are
ready. Flow production systems are able to produce large quantities of output in a short period
of time.
b
job rotation.
(2)
Workers do not do the same tasks all the time; they are part of a group of workers who swap
tasks. This makes their job more interesting and can increase motivation. It does, however,
mean that more training is needed, which may be costly, and it depends on worker and union
flexibility.
Apply Resources table 3a mark band descriptors.
2
Analyse two disadvantages BMW may have encountered using flow production.
(6)
Disadvantages may include:




worker boredom
higher staff absenteeism
higher staff turnover
any other relevant point.
SL: apply Resources table 1 mark band descriptors.
HL: apply Resources table 2 mark band descriptors.
A justified conclusion is not required.
3
(HL) Explain the characteristics of cell production.




(6)
flow production is split into team working
job rotation (see above)
team make production decisions: empowerment
team entrusted with meeting wider targets than would be the case in ordinary flow
production
SL: apply Resources table 1 mark band descriptors.
HL: apply Resources table 2 mark band descriptors.
A justified conclusion is not required.
© Cambridge University Press 2011
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Business and Management for the IB Diploma
4
(HL) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to BMW of switching from flow production
to cell production.
(9)
Advantages:






increased social interaction can motivate workers
absenteeism and staff turnover may fall
empowerment can be motivating
the people making production decisions are those who know most about production
teams have more of a stake in what they do
any other relevant point
Disadvantages:






increased social interaction may slow down productivity
more training can be time consuming and more costly
depends on worker flexibility
managers in some cultures may not like delegation of decision-making
managers may have less direct or immediate knowledge of problems
any other relevant point
HL: apply Resources table 2 mark band descriptors.
For 9-mark questions a conclusion is usually required.
© Cambridge University Press 2011
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